Issued : Monday 12 December, 2011

Minister for Public & Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly, together with the National Transport Authority has launched the new integrated transport ticket for Dublin.

From today, the 'Leap' card goes for public sale with commuters in the greater Dublin area now being able to switch between Bus, Luas, Dart and Rail services with one ticket. Public transport users will be able to purchase and top up their Leap Card at more than 350 authorised Leap Card agents (Payzone) across Dublin and online at www.leapcard.ie .

The news follows the successful public testing of the card with over 15,000 journeys completed with the new Leap card.Launching the card, Minister Kelly, said: "The Leap Card will be among the cheapest ways to get around Dublin. It will make using public transport more attractive and make it easier to get around the city. Our testing phase produced over 15,000 successful journeys. This represents huge progress for commuters and it has been one of my biggest priorities since taking office,"

"A commitment was given in the Programme for Government to advance this project as quickly as possible and I'm delighted to have delivered on this. I have taken an active and participative interest in this project with the various transport companies and agencies since taking up my role so I am delighted to see it off the ground.

Today is only the first day of the first phase. It will be gradually built upon and developed throughout 2012 where additional functionalities will be added to include Bus Eireann services, some private bus operators, children tickets, rambler, Travel 90 and student cards.

"It is worth noting that over 17 launches of London's Oyster card took place before it will fully operational. So while we have lift-off today, there is still huge work to be done and that will continue between the National Transport Authority and myself as Minister,"

The Leap Card offers passengers value and convenience with every transaction. It is easy to use and is hassle-free because it doesn't require public transport users to have the correct change or lots of coins to hand. It's also quicker with no more queuing at ticket machines for single tickets on Luas, DART and Commuter Rail Services. It's safer because public transport users can top up online and can report their card lost or stolen so that no one else can use it. With Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and Commuter Rail Services all being on board, public transport users can travel around Dublin as it suits them, without having to buy a specific ticket in advance.

Using Leap Cards to travel by Luas is up to 17% cheaper than purchasing single tickets from ticket machines, travelling by DART and Commuter Rail using Leap is up to 19% cheaper than purchasing singles from ticket machines, while the same fares as cash apply on Dublin Bus until January 2012 when a discount of 9% will come into play, following the rise in cash fares. Commuters and travellers are urged to buy their Leap Cards now, to be ready to take advantage of these differentials as soon as they come into effect.

Public transport users who currently hold pre-paid tickets including annual and monthly tickets on Dublin Bus, Luas and DART and Commuter Rail services can be assured that their cards will continue to work as normal, alongside the new Leap Card, until well into 2012.

"Today represents a very important day for commuters in the Greater Dublin Area and I would like to thank the National Transport Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency for their commitment and diligence in this project along with Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, Bus Eireann, HP and Payzone for bringing it to this stage," concluded Minister Kelly.

For detailed information on fares and other aspects of Leap Card, please visit www.leapcard.ie

Further information:

LuasTouch On at a Validator on the platform before you get on the tram and Touch Off when you get off the tram. A default fare will be deducted from the Travel Credit on your card when you Touch On; and when you Touch Off the appropriate amount will be refunded to your card for your journey. Touching On and Off in this way will ensure the correct smartcard fare is deducted from your Leap Card.

DART and Commuter Rail ServicesTouch On at the platform entry gate or Validator before your journey and Touch Off at the platform exit gate or Validator after your journey. As with Luas, a default fare will be deducted from the Travel Credit on your card when you Touch On; and when you Touch Off the appropriate amount will be refunded to your card for your journey. The card can be used between stations within the 'Short Hop Zone'. This Zone includes all stations in the Dublin area from Greystones to Balbriggan, and Commuter Stations from Dublin City Centre to Maynooth, and from Dublin Heuston to Hazelhatch.

Go to the driver: tell the driver your destination and hold your Leap Card to the target on the driver's ticket machine and the correct fare will be deducted from your Travel Credit.

If you are paying for a fare of over 13 stages or Outer Suburban you can Touch On at the Smartcard Validator on the right hand side as you enter the bus. The default fare of €2.20 will be deducted from your Travel Credit.

If you are unsure which fare applies to your journey, ask the driver, or go to Dublinbus.ie.